Shloka 37
मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
यदि वाऽयं तथा यन्मां भवेद्वदसि लक्ष्मण।मायैषा राक्षसस्येति कर्तव्योस्य वधो मया।।।।
yadi vāyaṃ tathā yan māṃ bhaved vadasi lakṣmaṇa | māyaiṣā rākṣasasyeti kartavyo 'sya vadho mayā ||
हे लक्ष्मण, यदि वास्तव में जैसा तुम कहते हो वैसा ही हो—यह किसी राक्षस की माया हो—तो भी उसका वध करना मेरा ही कर्तव्य है, और भी अधिक धर्म है।
Lakshmana, as you say, if it is the illusion of a demon, even then it should be killed by me.
FAQs
Rama frames action as duty: deception that harms the innocent must be opposed. Even when truth is uncertain, Dharma demands readiness to neutralize proven threats to righteous life.
Lakṣmaṇa warns that the deer may be a demon’s illusion; Rama replies that if it is indeed demonic deception, he must kill it.
Protective responsibility (kṣātra-dharma) and resolve: Rama asserts the obligation to confront rākṣasa-violence and deceit.